Longtime Westporter George (Nelson) Kringel, most recently of Fairfield, CT and Marathon, FL, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family Saturday January 9th 2016 in Atlanta, GA.
Born April 4th, 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA, Nelson lived in several locations around the country and around the globe before finally putting down roots in Fairfield County in the early 70's. A veteran of the United States Navy, where he served aboard the Balao-class submarine USS Clamagore, Nelson was most at home on- and even under- the water. An avid sailor and founding member of the Hobie Fleet at Compo Beach, Nelson never strayed too far from the waters of Long Island Sound or his beloved Vaca Key in Marathon, FL. Nelson was also a licensed pilot and certified SCUBA diver who will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, brother, stepfather, and all-around gentle soul. When he wasn't saving baby rabbits from storm drains or stopping traffic on Hillspoint Road to allow a lone turtle safe crossing, Nelson could most likely be found building and flying ultra-light aircraft, or otherwise tinkering with or conjuring various new inventions and creations. Among the many patents and inventions to his credit are the first digital bathroom scale and the Instant Coupon Machine; now ubiquitous on grocery store shelves the world over.
Nelson is survived by his wife Angie, daughters Keli, of La Veta, CO and Alee, of Cuchara, CO, sister Sue Lukrich, of San Francisco, CA, stepson Rob Claxton, of Atlanta, GA, and nephews John Kringel, of Monroe, CT and Kirk Kringel, of Golden, CO.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions be made in Nelson Kringel's memory to Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026, www.brainsupportnetwork.org.